Management
of our natural resources will one day be in the hands of these students.

The Schoolyard Habitat
program helps teachers and students create wildlife habitat on school
grounds. Habitat is the collective term for the food, water, shelter and
nursery areas that all wildlife needs to survive. The loss of habitat
is one of the greatest threats facing wildlife today.

The U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service provides and coordinates with other agencies to give
technical assistance and project guidance; provides teacher training;
develops written resources; and works with the state Departments of Education
on incorporating habitat issues into new school construction and renovation
projects.

Improved habitat:
Schoolyard habitat projects provide habitat for local and migratory
wildlife including songbirds, shorebirds, small mammals, reptiles, amphibians
and insects. In many cases, these habitats also provide a vegetative
buffer to nearby streams, reducing pollution reaching these waterways.

Teaching and
learning: Schoolyard habitats offer many teaching and learning opportunities
in English, science, mathematics, history, geography, social studies
and art. The process of planning, creating and using a habitat provides
children with unique hands-on experiences. Research shows that using
the environment as a focal point of teaching improves student performance.

Stewardship:
During the formative years of life, students develop perceptions and
values about their environment. If designed and managed properly, schoolyards
can provide students a powerful example of land stewardship. Conversely,
it is less likely that students will develop a sense of stewardship
if attending a barren, poorly managed schoolyard.

Social development:
Experts know that young children are driven to explore, discover and
play while refining motor skills. A well-designed schoolyard including
a diversity of natural areas, allows students to exercise these innate
needs leading to a happier and more fulfilled childhood. Older students
and adults also benefit. Research shows that most people are more relaxed
in a natural landscape.